FLIX: BUILD A DRONE FROM SCRATCH ON A CHEAP ESP32
A complete quadcopter whose entire flight controller runs on a low-cost ESP32 — CAD, firmware and a Gazebo simulator, all open.
DronesElectronics
Built withESP32Arduino3D printing
- difficulty
- ●●●●○
- time
- several weekends
- license
- not specified
- repo
- repo ACTIVE2,036 stars
●●●●○ · several weekends · not specified · 2,036 stars · repo ACTIVE
WHAT YOU’LL NEED
Jump to section
COMPAREE VERDICT
Flix is the drone build for people who want to understand every layer, not just bolt together a kit. Oleg Kalachev wrote a complete flight controller that runs on a cheap ESP32 — no Betaflight, no Pixhawk — and open-sourced the whole thing: STL and STEP frame files, a BOM, roughly two thousand lines of Arduino firmware, and a proper build and flight guide. The part we really like is the included Gazebo simulator and Python library, so you can learn to fly (and debug your code) without crashing real hardware first. It's a genuine several-weekend project and, being a flying machine, demands respect for props and local drone rules — but few projects teach you drones this thoroughly, this cheaply.
IN THE REPO
GOOD TO KNOW
- —Complete from-scratch package: STL + STEP frame, a BOM, ~2k lines of Arduino firmware, a full build/flight guide
- —Runs its own flight controller on an ESP32 — not Betaflight or Pixhawk
- —Includes a Gazebo simulator and a Python library to practice safely
- —No licence file in the repository, so reuse terms are not stated; the README provides the project 'as is' without warranties.
Parts to buy
6 itemsFrom our check of the build. Exact quantities and part numbers are in the creator’s BOM.
Can I build this?
Build at your own risk. Projects involve tools, electronics and sometimes mains voltage — follow the creator’s safety notes.
Videos
Flix v1 — minimalistic ESP32-based quadcopter
The creator's demo of the from-scratch drone.
More builds like this
All projectsGallery
Start here
Navigation into the creator’s own docs — we don’t rewrite the guide, we route you to the source.
- 1.Read the repo docs (assembly, setup, flight (branch: master))
- 2.Watch the demo (see it fly)
- 3.Try the simulator first (Gazebo sim + Python lib, no crashes)
- 4.Get the BOM and print the frame (STL + STEP included)
- 5.Read the textbook (in progress) (the theory behind it)
Resources
Documentation, files and community threads for this build — we link straight to the original sources and never rehost the creator’s files.
KNOWN ISSUES
- Buy the exact parts the README specifies: 8520 motors rated exactly 3.7 V (not 3.7-6 V), UMW 100N03A MOSFETs (the README warns KIA and other makers might not work), and a Li-Po of at least 1000 mAh with 25C discharge.
- No root license file — check before reusing the firmware
- It's a real flying machine — props and LiPo demand care, and you must follow local drone regulations
- Practice in the Gazebo simulator before flying to avoid crashing real hardware
Does the flight controller really run on an ESP32?
Yes — the entire flight controller is custom firmware on a low-cost ESP32, not Betaflight or Pixhawk. That's the whole point, and it's great for learning.
Can I practice without crashing?
Yes — there's a Gazebo simulator and a Python library, so you can fly and debug in software before building or after a repair.
How do I control it?
With an RC transmitter (a CC2500 radio is recommended), a gamepad over Wi-Fi, or a smartphone. The docs cover setup, flight, tuning and log analysis.
What does it cost?
Low-cost band: the design deliberately uses cheap general-purpose parts (ESP32 Mini, an IMU board, four 8520 brushed motors with MOSFETs, a 1S Li-Po). The component list in the README has no prices, so check current prices yourself.
Community builds
No community builds yet — be the first, we feature the best ones.
Discussion1
FROM THE COMPAREE TEAM
Flix flies on roughly two thousand lines of custom Arduino firmware running on a bare ESP32 — no Betaflight, no Pixhawk. Would you trust your first from-scratch flight controller in the air?
Oleg Kalachev
Wrote a complete quadcopter flight controller for a cheap ESP32 and open-sourced everything — CAD, firmware, a Gazebo simulator and a forthcoming textbook — to teach drones from the ground up.
Keep building — related projects
Same category or platform, picked by how close they are to this build.
FULL CADYou can turn an old optical mouse into a camera
Open-hardwareFor intermediate builders
FULL CADTwo Teens Couldn't Afford a VR Headset — So They Built One
VRFor intermediate builders
FULL CADYou can build the beacon that tells other aircraft where you are
Open-hardwareFor advanced builders
FULL CADYou can build a laser scanning microscope from a dead Blu-ray player
ScienceFor advanced builders
FULL CADYou can build a box that makes an old metal lathe cut any screw thread
WorkshopFor advanced builders
FULL CADYou can build a 50-dollar open alternative to a 5,000-dollar drone navigation box
RoboticsFor advanced builders
DISCLAIMER
- Comparee is not the author of the projects featured here. All rights to each project belong to its creator — every page links to the original source, and we never host creators’ files.
- Information is provided without warranty and may become outdated as projects evolve. Prices are indicative bands only — always check the creator’s parts list for current costs.
- Building and operating any project is at your own responsibility. Protective equipment, safe workshop practice and compliance with local regulations are the builder’s responsibility.
CompareeTEAM2mo agoedited
Practical notes from our verification: the README has a complete component list with STL and STEP files for the 3D-printed frame (version 1.1), wiring tables, assembly and usage guides, a Gazebo simulator that runs the original Arduino code and a Python library. Be strict about parts: the motors must be rated exactly 3.7 V, and the author warns that MOSFETs other than UMW 100N03A might not work. An official PCB (Flix2) and position control are still in development. The repository has no licence file. Correction (4 October 2026): we re-checked this page line by line against the project's own repository, documentation and videos, and fixed errors in earlier versions.